Bowel control probe and method for controlling bowel incontinence

Abstract

A bowel control probe apparatus and method for sensing and preventing incontinent episodes. The probe comprises a catheter with an infrared (I.R.) sensor tip for sensing fecal mass in the rectum and a cuff which is inflated with air to prevent passage of the fecal mass. The method of sensing and preventing incontinent episodes includes the steps of: inserting the probe in the rectum, inflating the cuff, transmitting I.R. light into the rectum, monitoring the reflectance of I.R. light and generating an alarm signal when a predetermined amount of reflected I.R. light is measured.

We claim: 
     
       1. A bowel control probe for detecting the presence of fecal material in the human rectum comprising: a flexible main catheter sized for insertion into the rectum through the anus and having a central lumen which serves as a housing for a plurality of electrical wires;   an infrared sensing means for detecting the presence of fecal mass in the rectum attached near a distal end of the main catheter and to said electrical wires;   a lens cap which substantially surrounds the infrared sensing means and which is substantially transparent to infrared light; and   an electrical port located near a proximal end of the main catheter which provides access to said plurality of electrical wires.   
     
     
       2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein, the infrared sensing means is a device which transmits and receives infrared radiation.   
     
     
       3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein, the electrical port comprises a plug which allows the plurality of electrical wires to be connected to equipment external to the main catheter.   
     
     
       4. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: at least one piece of auxiliary equipment connected to said plurality of electrical wires through the electrical port and functioning to supply power to the infrared sensing means and to receive signals from the infrared sensing means through said plurality of electrical wires.   
     
     
       5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein, one piece of the auxiliary equipment comprises a rechargeable battery pack.   
     
     
       6. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein, one piece of the auxiliary equipment comprises an alarm which indicates the presence of fecal mass in response to a signal from the infrared sensing means.   
     
     
       7. The apparatus of claim 1 further including: an inflatable cuff located between the sensing means and the electrical port for preventing the passage of fecal material therearound;   an inflation means for inflating the inflatable cuff; and   a pressure release means for relieving flatus.   
     
     
       8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein, the inflation means comprises a second catheter located inside the main catheter, and having one end of the second catheter opening into the inflatable cuff and the other end of the second catheter exiting the main catheter near said proximal end of the main catheter and terminating in a pressure port.   
     
     
       9. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the pressure release means comprises: one or more gas inlet openings located in the distal end of the main catheter leading into the said central lumen;   one or more gas-permeable membranes positioned between each gas inlet opening and the said central lumen; and   at least one gas outlet openings located in said proximal end of the main catheter and opening into said central lumen.   
     
     
       10. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: a means for protecting the infrared sensing means from fecal contamination during insertion of the bowel control probe in the rectum.   
     
     
       11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein, the means for protecting the infrared sensing means from fecal contamination is a gelatin capsule which dissolves at body temperature.   
     
     
       12. A method for detecting impending episodes of bowel incontinence which comprises: a. inserting an I.R. sensor into the rectum of a patient;   b. transmitting I.R. light from the I.R. sensor into the rectum;   c. monitoring the reflectance and scattering of I.R. light off a fecal mass; and   d. generating an alarm signal when a predetermined amount of reflected I.R. light is measured indicating the presence of said fecal mass.   
     
     
       13. A method for controlling episodes of bowel incontinence which comprises: a. inserting a catheter having an I.R. sensor and an inflatable cuff into the rectum of a patient;   b. inflating the inflatable cuff so as to block discharge from the rectum;   c. transmitting I.R. light from the I.R. sensor into the rectum;   d. monitoring the reflectance and scattering of I.R. light off a fecal mass; and   e. generating an alarm signal when a predetermined amount of reflected I.R. light is measured indicating the presence of said fecal mass; and   f. deflating the inflatable cuff under controlled circumstances in response to the generated alarm signal.   
     
     
       14. A bowel control probe for detecting the presence of fecal material in the human rectum comprising: a main catheter sized for insertion into the rectum through the anus and having an central lumen which serves as a housing for a plurality of electrical wires;   an infrared sensing means for detecting the presence of fecal mass in the rectum attached near a distal end of the main catheter and to said electrical wires;   an electrical port located near a proximal end of the main catheter which provides access to said plurality of electrical wires;   an inflatable cuff located between the sensing means and the electrical port for preventing the passage of fecal material therearound; and   an inflation means for inflating the inflatable cuff.   
     
     
       15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein, the inflation means comprises a second catheter located inside the main catheter, and having one end of the second catheter opening into the inflatable cuff and the other end of the second catheter exiting the main catheter near said proximal end of the main catheter and terminating in a pressure port.   
     
     
       16. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein, the electrical port comprises a plug which allows said plurality of electrical wires to be connected to equipment external to the main catheter.   
     
     
       17. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the infrared sensing means comprises: an infrared light emitting diode; and   a phototransistor.   
     
     
       18. The apparatus of claim 14 further comprising: a pressure release means for relieving flatus.   
     
     
       19. The apparatus of claim 14 further comprising: at least one piece of auxiliary equipment connected to said plurality of electrical wires through the electrical port and functioning to supply power to the infrared sensing means and to receive signals from the infrared sensing means through said plurality of electrical wires.   
     
     
       20. The apparatus of claim 14 further comprising: a means for protecting the infrared sensing means from fecal contamination during insertion of the bowel control probe in the rectum.   
     
     
       21. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein, the means for protecting the infrared sensing means from fecal contamination is a gelatin capsule which dissolves at approximately normal body temperature.   
     
     
       22. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the pressure release means comprises: at least one gas inlet opening located in said distal end of the main catheter opening into said central lumen;   at least one gas-permeable membrane positioned between each gas inlet opening and said central lumen; and   at least one gas outlet opening located in said proximal end of the main catheter and opening into said central lumen.   
     
     
       23. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein, one piece of the auxiliary equipment comprises a rechargeable battery pack.   
     
     
       24. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein, one piece of the auxiliary equipment comprises an alarm which indicates the presence of fecal mass in response to a signal from the infrared sensing means.